Travellers Cheques?

[Janine1983]

Are these still widely accepted in the theme parks and restaurants??

As I normally take a few hundred pound in dollars, and the rest (a lot!! LOL) in trav chqs. But its been a while since I've been so want to make sure before I go!

Also, if I remember correctly I have to take ID when using them. Would a UK driv lic be ok?

Thanks guys! xx

 

[TOONMADLAD]

I was there last October and travellers cheques were all I used, the only poblem I encountered was at wallmart, they wouldn't accept them so used the credit card instead, just make sure the maximum value of the cheque is $100, a few years ago we had problems changing 2 x $500 cheques, only Disney would change these, and that was only after contacting American Express, I don't think they do this larger cheque now.

I'll be taking travellers cheques again this year.

Rgds
Pete

 

[wils]

We used them OK in November even in Wallmart - thought the ex-pat Brit behind me in the queue did laugh at me!

 

[bombhead444]

We always take travellers cheques with us although we havent tried them to pay for the car parking tho im sure that wouldn't be a problem,you need photo id for the cheques so a driving license should be fine.

 

[wayneg]

2 main places are Walmart, some have posted problems there and Golden Corral, they don't accept them. Everywhere else should be OK but I think within next few years more will stop accepting them due to costs involved. I believe they are an expensive item to process, like myself I have just about stopped accepting regular cheques, with extra bank fees, diesel to take them and the hour it takes to get to bank and back its just not worth accepting them.

 

[juliebro]

Hopefully everyone knows that they should be dollar traveller cheques, not sterling.

 

[Steve and Sarah]

We are over in Florida at the moment and have noticed that Walmart have notices on every till saying that they only accept Amex TC's now.

Don't know about anywhere else though.

Steve

 

[Pegasus928]

On a personal note I can't actually remember the last time we used TCs.
With CCs, debit cards etc getting hold of your money is so much easier than it used to be, we just feel it's one less hassle we can do without.
Does anyone else feel the same or am I in a minority

 

[Melcatfish]

We haven't been since 2004 - back then we used Travellers cheques but I think this time we will get some cash and some on a FairFX card. We will have our standard cards with us but I am reluctant to use them as you often get stung on the exchange rate (don't have the Nationwide card)

Mel
x

 

[wayneg]

On a personal note I can't actually remember the last time we used TCs.
With CCs, debit cards etc getting hold of your money is so much easier than it used to be, we just feel it's one less hassle we can do without.
Does anyone else feel the same or am I in a minority

Last few trips only cash we have spent is tolls, just use fee free credit card for every cent we spend. When we go Thursday I am taking $110 cash, I expect to bring home over $100, everything on Post Office CC. Hopefully a better rate than if I had exchanged here and no worries about losing cash or TC's.
On the other hand there are people that can't get cards or just can't handle cards, I once knew a family that spent £1,000's on CC couldn't control themselves.

 

[wicket2005]

We take TC just for the cash and cash them in at the hotel, no problems. As they are insured and guaranteed to be replaced we think they are more secure than taking cash. The smaller denominations the better really. Just the same in our country really if you think about it. We just use the cash for snacks from kiosks and for parking, etc.

Everything else goes on the credit card. Driving licence photocards are perfectly acceptable for id and are better than carrying your passport around.

 

[Ware Bears]

We always take some travellers cheques (we also like the security of them) and use these at some of our table service meals at WDW. This way we get a ready supply of cash without having to use an ATM. The rest of our spending/dining/shopping goes on fee free credit cards.

 

[madmumof2]

On a personal note I can't actually remember the last time we used TCs.
With CCs, debit cards etc getting hold of your money is so much easier than it used to be, we just feel it's one less hassle we can do without.
Does anyone else feel the same or am I in a minority

No, I'm the same. I can't be doing with the hassle either lol. I'll be taking a bit of cash for tips and kiosks etc and the rest I'll buy with my Fairfx card. Simple lol

 

[mickeyforpresident]

Have you thought about a FairFX card? It's the best thing I ever did! Much less hasle than TCs.

 

[Tinks1984]

Sorry to hi-jack, but could someone explain what a FairFX card is please? We used TC's last April, but would consider looking into one of the cards if they're easier to use etc.

 

[Janine1983]

Never heard of a fairfx card....whats this??????????????

 

[mickeyforpresident]

If you google fairfx you'll get the website. Also, search on the threads here and you'll follow many brilliant discussions about the card.

Basically, its a prepaid charge card, loaded with us $. Often the exchange rate you get is very favourable (at some times last summer, I was getting over $2 to a £1 - but things have changed now......)

Over there, you simply use it as a credit card and withdraw cash at ATMs. But of course it isn't a credit card as you've put the money on it on this side of the pond.

Really worth considering.

Maybe start a new thread asking for more information might be useful as there are guys on here who know far more about the ins and outs than I do.... I know that I saved my spending money up and then paid it onto the card and then spent it all NO HASSLE over there...... even used it on the room etc.

I remember not using it to secure the hire car as they freeze that amount of money that you probably don't need, so for this just used a regular card!

Hope this helps.